Central Washington University | John Harbaugh and Jazz

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John Harbaugh and Jazz

John Harbaugh and Jazz

Trumpet Experience and History

John Harbaugh’s history and experience in the jazz idiom is extensive. Since his days as an undergraduate performing in the winning band and being selected as a outstanding jazz soloist at the Wichita Jazz Festival to his current position at director of Jazz two at CWU. Visit Professor Harbaugh's Jazz page for more information.

Education and Instruction

He has degrees from schools with nationally acclaimed jazz programs, a BA from University of Northern Iowa, MME from the University of North Texas (lead trumpet in the 2 o’clock band) and 40 hours on a Doctorate at Indiana University (lead trumpet in David Baker’s premiere jazz ensemble). He has studied jazz improvisation with Rich Matteson, Ashley Alexander, and David Baker.

Performance and Teaching Experience

During professor Harbaugh's career he, has directed college bands that have been invited to perform at the North Sea, Montreux, and was selected from at national pool to have his group be one of only ten to compete at the Notre Dame Jazz festival. His professional career includes a US and British Isles tour with Buddy Rich, two years touring the US, Japan, and Europe with Paul Anka, two years touring the US, Canada, and Britain with Tom Jones, as well as working most of the shows in Las Vegas during the mid 1980’s. He can be heard as a jazz soloist with the London Symphony on “Powell Canyons”, in the trumpet section on four Ashley Alexander /Frank Mantooth recordings, and 2009 Drum Channel DVD “Buddy Rich up close”. He has been involved in three Grammy nominated productions and on one Dove award winning recording. He has recorded educational jazz material for Barnhouse and Music Minus One Publications.

He has performed in groups backing up artists like, Mel Torme, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O'Day, Sammy Davis Jr. Bob Newhart, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Freddie Hubbard, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, and Lionel Hampton to name only a few.

He continues to work having recently played in pit orchestras for touring Broadway shows like, 9 to 5, The Color Purple, Disney’s High School Musical, and “South Pacific” He brings wealth of knowledge and experience when works as a clinician, an adjudicator, and or performer. He is currently is faculty member at Central Washington University teaching applied trumpet, coaching trumpet choir, and directing the second jazz band. John is as a faculty member of the Yellowstone Jazz camp, a clinician for Conn /Selmer Corporation, and as has served a member of the advisory committee for the National Trumpet Competition.